CommanderErnest George William Davidson (8 June, 1874 – 6 October, 1918) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Davidson was born, perhaps, in Bermuda. He gained five months' time on passing out of Britannia in December, 1889. On 27 February, 1890, he received his first naval appointment, to Undaunted in the Mediterranean.[1]

On 31 August, 1893, Davidson was moved to the Ruby in the Training Squadron. On 14 December, 1893 Davidson was invalided from H.M.S. Ruby with facial fractures sustained during a football match.[2]

Davidson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1897 and re-appointed in Hussar. On 22 May, he was invalided from Hussar with Mediterranean Fever.[3]

On 1 June, 1902, Davidson was appointed in command of H.M.S. Snipe on the China Station. He issued a report of proceedings on Lake Tung Ting which received Admiralty appreciation. An inspection by Captain Robert Stokes on 23 September, 1902 was satisfactory except for the magazine and two after guns.[4]

Davidson was appointed in command of the destroyer Lightning on 27 April, 1905.[5]

On 15 March, 1906, Davidson was appointed in command of the gunboat Bramble. A 1907 inspection elicited the comment from Commander-in-Chief Moore that "I am of the opinion that he is somewhat lacking intact & judgt in dealing with him."[6]

Davidson inspired a favourable report during a minesweeping exercise in July, 1909.

Davidson was appointed in command of the destroyer Lyra on 7 September, 1912.[8] In January, 1913, Lyra collided with a ship called Burma and Davidson was told to be more careful in future.

Davidson left Lyra when he was appointed to the battleship Zealandia on 16 April, 1915. His appointment ended on 27 August, 1916 when he was considered for command of the light cruiser Newcastle. Instead, he was appointed in command of the armed merchant cruiser Otranto on 3 September, 1916.

Davidson was killed when H.M.S. Otranto was wrecked on 6 October, 1918. Before he died, he coordinated a heroic rescue operation with the intrepid destroyer Mounsey that saved many of the American troops aboard the vessel. American appreciation of his dying efforts were transmitted from the American Major General Biddle.